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Motor Oil An auto service or repair station-or any station that changes oil-may accept used motor oil for recycling. To dispose of used motor oil, which contains hazardous petroleum products, first drain the oil through a funnel into a clean container that can be tightly sealed. Then deliver it to your local recycling center. The local health department can help you find the nearest center that accepts used motor oil. Pesticides Homeowners often store unused pesticides for many years. Pesticides may deteriorate when stored for a long periods and labels may become unreadable. Discard or relabel anything that cannot be identified. To dispose of less than a full container of a liquid formulation, leave it in the original container, with cap securely in place to prevent spills or leaks. Wrap container in several layers of newspaper and tie securely and place in a covered trash can for routine collection. Liquid in containers up to a gallon should be poured onto an absorbent material such as oil dry, kitty litter, clay soil, or saw dust, shoveled into a plastic bag, and placed in trash. Wrap individual packages of dry pesticides such as granules or dust formulations in several layers of newspaper and place in a plastic bag; tie or tape closed and then place in routine trash collection. Empty pesticide containers should be triple rinsed and the rinse water used as spray material for pest control purposes. Empty tripled-rinsed containers can be placed in household trash collection. Never flush waste pesticides down drain or toilet. Attempt to give excess containers of pesticides to neighbors for their use according to labeled directions. Pesticides that have been banned by EPA may be on the Hazardous Waste List and cannot be placed in household trash. Contact your county Extension agent or call the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, 205- 271- 7726, for specific instructions on banned pesticides or pesticide classified as Hazardous Waste. Aerosols Discard only completely empty aerosol cans. Before discarding, spray the contents outside and away from humans or animals until the can is completely empty. Then discard the can with household refuse. Never put pressurized cans, even empty ones, in a trash compactor or incinerator. The suggestions contained in this publication advise safe disposal of products using the best technology available at the current time. The author assumes no liability for the effectiveness or results of the procedures described. Reference Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste. 1989. Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Material in this publication has been reviewed by Alabama Health Department and Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914 , in cooperation with the U S Department of Agriculture The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Auburn University, offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportu- nity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, re- ligion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability UPS, 11 M06, 10:94, HE-623 ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA 36849-5612 DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL WASTES Genta Speakman, Extension Home Environment Specialist Products found in your kitchen, bathroom, garage, 9r Remember: recycle a product or hold it for a collection garden shed may be hazardous. Because of their chemical day whenever possible! nature, these products can poison, corrode, explode, or burst into flame if not handled properly. When you discard them, these products become household chemical wastes. Motor oil, paints, pesticides, antifreeze wood preservatives, batteries, and some household cleaners contain solvents, petroleum products, heavy metals, or other ham1f ul chemicals. When you place these products in the trash or pour them down drains, the chemicals can injure others or contaminate drinking water sources. Preventing Drinking Water Contamination • Never bury household wastes unless you have obtained a permit of exception from your local health department. • Never dump wastes along the side of the road. •Never use a pesticide near a well head opening. • Never pour wastes into any drain or storm sewer. • Use only the amow1t of a product that is absolutely necessary. • Use chemical household products as infrequently as possible. What is the best way to dispose of potentially hazardous household products? The best advice is, don't. If you cannot use up the product, think of someone who can. A neighbor, school, youth group, church, or service organization may be glad to share your remaining cleaning solution, paint, fertilizer, gasoline, or insect spray. When you shop, buy only those house, yard, and automobile products you need and purchase in quantities that you will use up. Finally, consider buying safe substitutes for potentially hazardous products. If you must dispose of a household product, consider the following guidelines: · • Use Collection Days for household chemical wastes whenever possible. If your community does not have a collection day or recycling center for chemical wastes, talk with your community leaders about organizing one. • Do not mix wastes; this could create a violent reaction or form a more hazardous product. • Do not put liquid wastes into the trash. • Do not discard large quantities of household wastes at one time-for example, several half-used cans of paint or containers of used antifreeze. Remember The Rules • Buy only what you need and u e up the products. • Use nontoxic substi.tutes whenever possible. • Recycle remaining materials or save Lhem for a hazardous waste collection day. • Read labels carefully and observe the precautions for use; follow the recommendations for disposal. • Don't dump wastes along the side of the road or pour wastes into drains or storm sewers. Never bury household wastes unless you have obtained a permit of exception from your local county health department. Key To Disposal Instructions The chart on pgs. 2-3 offers general disposal recommen- dations for potentially hazardous products that you may have in your home. When more than one disposal method is given, the first is preferred. Choose another method only when the first is not feasible. Household refuse: Discard with household refuse that is carried to a sanitary landfill or municipal incinerator. Rinse empty containers well with water before you discard them. Wrapped refuse: Wrap in newspaper and then in plastic before you add it to household refuse. Small amount down drain: Pour small quantities (less than one-third of the container) down the drain (or toilet) on a city sewer using plenty of water; rinse the container thoroughly, then discard it as household refuse. If the capacity of the sewage or septic system is small or if large amounts are to be disposed, recycle. Solidify/double wrap: Solidify with absorbent material such as kitty litter, sawdust, charcoal, or sand. Allow the material to dry, then double wrap it in plastic and discard it with household refuse. Evaporate/ double wrap: Allow the chemical to evaporate outside away from children or pets; double wrap the container in plastic, then discard it with household refuse. Special recycling center: Take the product to a special recycling facility or return it to its manufacturer. CIRCULAR HE-623
